Local resources. Inspiring stories. Practical advice.
Whether it’s physical, financial, professional or psychological, everybody goes through tough times in their lives. Josh Martin was 28 years old when he experienced his biggest challenge yet: an aggressive form of leukemia. Inspired by his journey, the Overcoming Obstacles Handbook is a free collection of real-life stories, practical advice and local resources in B.C.’s Okanagan region geared at helping people who are facing adversity.
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Scroll below to download your free copy and to find local resources.
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Community resources in the Okanagan region
One of the most important lessons Josh learned from his health crisis was the importance of community. Whether it was accessing peer support programs, using the Cancer Society’s shuttle service to get to appointments or tapping into educational materials from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, community resources played a big role in his success.
Whatever obstacle you face in life — personally, professionally or otherwise — be sure to consider the resources available in your community. Fortunately, the Okanagan area boasts all kinds of organizations and programs focused on helping folks overcome a variety of obstacles.
Below, you’ll find information about some of them. This listing is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully give you a flavour of the kinds of resources available in your own backyard.
Mental health
Interior Crisis Line Network
1-888-353-2273 (C.A.R.E.)
https://www.crisislines.bc.ca/interior
BC Crisis Line
24/7 support
1-888-353-2273
Okanagan Mental Health Services Society
https://www.okanaganmentalhealth.com/
Mental Health Services
(Interior Health)
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/YourCare/MentalHealthSubstanceUse/MentalHealth/Pages/default.aspx
Canadian Mental Health Association – South Okanagan Similkameen
https://sos.cmha.bc.ca/
Canadian Mental Health Association – Kelowna
https://cmhakelowna.com/
Foundry Kelowna
(mental health wellness centre for parents and youth)
https://foundrybc.ca/kelowna/
Local therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/bc/kelowna
Local depression therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/depression/bc/kelowna
Local anxiety therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/anxiety/bc/kelowna
Physical health
Interior Health Authority
https://www.interiorhealth.ca/Pages/default.aspx
Find a local chiropractor
https://members.bcchiro.com/code/find.php
Find a local registered massage therapist
https://www.rmtbc.ca/find-rmt
Find a local physiotherapist
https://bcphysio.org/find-a-physio
Alzheimer Society of British Columbia – Interior Region
https://alzheimer.ca/en/bc/We-can-help/Regional-Resource-Centres/Interior-Region
BC Cancer – Kelowna
https://bccancerfoundation.com/why-give/BC-cancer-centre/Kelowna
Services for seniors – North Okanagan
(Nexus BC Community Resource Centre)
http://www.northokanaganseniors.ca/
Seniors Outreach & Resource Centre
(Kelowna)
https://seniorsoutreach.ca/
Families and individuals
Child and Family Services office for Kelowna
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/data-monitoring-quality-assurance/find-services-for-children-teens-families/sda-kelowna
Building Healthy Families Society
http://www.buildinghealthyfamilies.ca/
The Bridge Youth & Family Services
https://www.thebridgeservices.ca/
Parent Support Services Society of BC
https://www.parentsupportbc.ca/
Okanagan Boys & Girls Club
http://www.boysandgirlsclubs.ca/
Okanagan Ability Centre
http://okanaganabilitycentre.com/
The Gay Okanagan Network
http://www.gayokanagan.net/index.html
Reach Out – Youth Counselling & Family Services
http://reachoutyouthcounselling.com/
Connect Counselling & Therapy Society
(formerly The Kelowna Family Centre)
http://www.connectcounsellingsociety.ca/
Local relationship therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/relationship-issues/bc/kelowna
Local divorce therapists
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/divorce/bc/kelowna
Local grief counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/grief/bc/kelowna
Emergency support and shelters
Kelowna Women’s Shelter
https://kelownawomensshelter.ca/
Inn from the Cold – Kelowna
https://www.innfromthecoldkelowna.org/
Kelowna Youth Shelter
http://www.boysandgirlsclubs.ca/programs/youth-programs-and-support/shelter-housing
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission
https://kelownagospelmission.ca/
Central Okanagan Food Bank
https://cofoodbank.com/
The Armstrong Food Bank
http://www.boysandgirlsclubs.ca/programs/family-programs-and-support/food-bank
Central Okanagan RCMP Victim Services
https://www.regionaldistrict.com/your-services/police-services/victim-services.aspx
Employment and financial
Local career guidance counsellors
https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/career-guidance/bc/kelowna
Employment Services – Thompson-Okanagan
(WorkBC)
https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/Labour-Market-Programs/ESS-PROGRAM%E2%80%94Thompson-Okanagan.aspx
YMCA of Okanagan – Employment Services
https://www.ymcaokanagan.ca/Programs/Categories/Employment-Services
Credit Counselling Society – Kelowna
https://creditcounsellingcanada.ca/locations/credit-counselling-society-kelowna/
Newcomers
Kelowna Newcomers Club
https://kelownanewcomers.ca/
Penticton Newcomers Club
https://www.pentictonnewcomers.com/
Newcomer information
(Okanagan Regional Library)
http://www.orl.bc.ca/using-the-library/our-services/for-newcomers
South Okanagan Immigrant and Community Services
https://www.soics.ca/
Want to help others in your community overcome obstacles? Here are few local opportunities to consider:
South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre
(local volunteer opportunities)
http://www.volunteercentre.info/
Volunteer Kelowna
(local volunteer opportunities)
https://volunteerkelowna.ca/
Blood donor clinics
(search for nearby clinics in Okanagan)
https://blood.ca
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central and Southern Interior of BC
https://centralsoutherninteriorbc.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/
Habitat for Humanity Okanagan
https://www.habitatforhumanityokanagan.ca/